The Vikings on Thursday activated running back Aaron Jones, Sr., from Injured Reserve a few hours before visiting the Los Angeles Chargers to open Week 8 on Thursday Night Football.
To make room on the roster, the Vikings waived rookie linebacker Kobe King, who has played 77 snaps on special teams and three snaps on defense across five games.
Jones, a nine-year NFL veteran, had been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Falcons. His 21-day evaluation window was opened by the team on Tuesday, but the Vikings did not hold a full practice this week because of the shortened schedule.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Oct. 23, 2025.
3 WR Jordan Addison
3 WR Jordan Addison
93 DL Jonathan Allen
93 DL Jonathan Allen
96 OLB Tyler Batty
96 OLB Tyler Batty
64 G Blake Brandel
64 G Blake Brandel
12 QB Max Brosmer
12 QB Max Brosmer
51 LB Blake Cashman
51 LB Blake Cashman
57 OLB Chaz Chambliss
57 OLB Chaz Chambliss
71 T Christian Darrisaw
71 T Christian Darrisaw
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
13 WR Tai Felton
13 WR Tai Felton
76 G Will Fries
76 G Will Fries
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
30 RB C.J. Ham
30 RB C.J. Ham
97 DL Javon Hargrave
97 DL Javon Hargrave
87 TE T.J. Hockenson
87 TE T.J. Hockenson
60 G Joe Huber
60 G Joe Huber
90 DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
90 DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
74 OL Donovan Jackson
74 OL Donovan Jackson
26 S Theo Jackson
26 S Theo Jackson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
33 RB Aaron Jones Sr.
33 RB Aaron Jones Sr.
65 G Michael Jurgens
65 G Michael Jurgens
56 LB Austin Keys
56 LB Austin Keys
27 RB Jordan Mason
27 RB Jordan Mason
9 QB J.J. McCarthy
9 QB J.J. McCarthy
6 CB Dwight McGlothern
6 CB Dwight McGlothern
44 S Joshua Metellus
44 S Joshua Metellus
7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.
7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.
1 WR Jalen Nailor
1 WR Jalen Nailor
75 T Brian O'Neill
75 T Brian O'Neill
8 CB Jeff Okudah
8 CB Jeff Okudah
84 TE Josh Oliver
84 TE Josh Oliver
0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.
0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.
4 WR Myles Price
4 WR Myles Price
61 DL Jalen Redmond
61 DL Jalen Redmond
16 K Will Reichard
16 K Will Reichard
98 OLB Bo Richter
98 OLB Bo Richter
2 CB Isaiah Rodgers
2 CB Isaiah Rodgers
50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
71 T Walter Rouse
71 T Walter Rouse
36 RB Zavier Scott
36 RB Zavier Scott
67 T Justin Skule
67 T Justin Skule
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
19 WR Adam Thielen
19 WR Adam Thielen
37 DB Tavierre Thomas
37 DB Tavierre Thomas
15 OLB Dallas Turner
15 OLB Dallas Turner
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
24 S Jay Ward
24 S Jay Ward
11 QB Carson Wentz
11 QB Carson Wentz
99 DL Elijah Williams
99 DL Elijah Williams
55 LB Eric Wilson
55 LB Eric Wilson
17 P Ryan Wright
17 P Ryan Wright
85 TE Ben Yurosek
85 TE Ben Yurosek
Coincidentally, tonight will be Jones' third game and third appearance this season in a prime-time game.
Jones was limited to five rushes for 23 yards against Atlanta after rushing eight times for 23 yards in Week 1 at Chicago when he added three receptions for 44 yards.
Jones' 2025 opener featured a 27-yard touchdown catch from J.J. McCarthy to give Minnesota its first lead (20-17) of the season in an eventual 27-24 victory.
The Vikings have leaned heavily on Jordan Mason (84 rushes for 380 yards and a career-high four rushing touchdowns; nine receptions for 34 yards) and Zavier Scott (19 rushes for 53 yards; eight receptions for 65 yards with a touchdown) while Jones has been unavailable.
Scott (wrist) and fullback C.J. Ham (hand) suffered injuries in Week 7 against Philadelphia. Ham was ruled out, and Scott was listed as questionable for tonight on Wednesday.
While Jones was sidelined, Minnesota elevated veteran Cam Akers for three games. Akers rushed five times for 19 yards against the Bengals and threw a 32-yard touchdown to Josh Oliver against the Browns.
Minnesota (3-3) also announced the elevation of guard Henry Byrd from its practice squad to the active roster for tonight's game. Byrd has appeared in two games (Cincinnati and Cleveland) this season, logging 12 snaps on special teams.
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